DUQM: The Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) announced that a comprehensive multi-purpose fishing port will be opened in Duqm in February 2024. The port is envisaged to meet the growing demand for fisheries-related services, house many fishery industries and attract related investments, taking advantage of the broad range of high-quality fisheries resources in the area.
To be set up in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries at a cost of RO 63 million, the port will constitute one of SEZAD’s largest facilities. Its berths will be 3.3 km long and the depth of the sea in the area will be about 10 metres.
In addition, there will be a mooring for large vessels and 6 other berths for different types of ships, including Royal Oman Police (ROP) patrol boats.
Eng Abdullah Salim al Hakmani, Manager of Technical Affairs in Duqm, affirmed that the multi-purpose fishing port will serve as a major strategic project in the region and that the hub will be one of the largest fishing ports in the Sultanate of Oman. He added that the port will cover an area of 7.5 square kilometres.
The port will receive large and medium trawlers and small wooden boats, said Al Hakmani, noting that the facility is set to boost food industries and tourism activities and other service activities in Al Wusta Governorate.
Al Hakmani pointed out that the first phase was completed and that it consisted of 3.3 km long breakwaters, a jetty for large vessels (875 metres long), five more floating piers for small fishing trawlers and a special dock for the ROP.
As part of the project, an area of more than 400,000 square metres of land was reclaimed, with 75,000 square metres allocated for tourism activities.
The second phase will see the establishment of the upper infrastructure to the tune of more than RO 18 million. This includes administrative buildings, service and housing units for fishermen. The overall scheme will cater to the nature of the port’s activities, including tourism.
SEZAD recently signed a usufruct agreement with a consortium of companies, led by Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and in partnership with a reputed international French firm that enjoys an extensive experience in the management of fishing ports.
Al Hakmani said that the fishing port project is linked to the fishery industries complex located about 3 km away from its site and that the complex is already abuzz with activities such as packaging units, fish oil factories, tuna factories and other factories that are strongly associated with this vital sector in the Sultanate of Oman.
The consortium formed a company under the name “Duqm Marina” and that the firm is undertaking the management of the project, regulating the entry and exit of trucks and ships of all sizes and dealing with investors who provide services (including an ice unit, commercial outlets like shops and other services related to fishermen). — ONA
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
